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“He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” - Emily Brontë, Wuthering HeightsThu, 14 Dec 2017 00:12:51 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngGisseppii's Book Blog… and Other Stuffhttps://gisseppi.wordpress.com
Gisseppii’s Book Blog (August – November 2017)https://gisseppi.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/gisseppiis-book-blog-august-october-2017/
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The Cuban Affair is about, Daniel “Mac” MacCormick, a charter boat captain and Army veteran. He is approached by Carlos and his clients (Sara and Eduardo) to attempt a charter to Cuba to retrieve money that was hidden during Castro’s Revolution. Mac soon discovers there is more to the story than originally told and must find away to get out of international waters before the authorities catch him and time runs out.

The best thing about this story is the detailed and richly researched history of Cuba. Nelson DeMille, never fails in this regard. I also liked the idea of visiting Cuba as a student and/or in a group study abroad program like the one mentioned in the book and can understand the need for strict protocols when visiting.

Unfortunately, the story is slow in a lot of places, not a lot of action or intrigue and I found Sara’s constant neediness regarding Mac tiresome. I also had a hard time believing that Mac was this decorated war hero, I spent most of the time wondering why they chose him. Having read DeMille’s work in the past, I expected more story wise than this.

The Falcon at the Portal is about, Amelia and her family, investigating the rumors regarding a family friend who is accused of selling artifacts. They know rumors like this can be damaging to ones reputation and discover that everyone has their role to play. A body is found, the origins of a mysterious child is discovered, and bullets are flying.

I’ve always enjoyed this series and this one is no exception, lots of intrigue, well written story lines, and a great introduction of new complex characters; however, there are a few things that I found baffling with this story. The need to protect David and Nefret’s 180 degree personality shift after a secret is revealed regarding Ramses.

The doubts they had towards David, could have been solved if they had just asked him, rather than trying to protect him as if he were a child and creating unnecessary doubt among the family. Nefret is a passionate character, but her abrupt personality change and marriage to Geoff is so beyond normal for her, I found it absolutely baffling.

The Doll Funeral by Kate Hamer *AB*

The Doll Funeral is about a young girl named, Ruby, who discovers that her parents aren’t her parents and sets out to find them with nothing but a suitcase and the help of a mysterious figure called, Shadow Boy. Ruby finds refuge with a pair of siblings in the woods and has to discover what is real, what isn’t, and how to let go of her fear to overcome her past.

Ruby’s home life isn’t that great, abusive in fact and while this story doesn’t over simplify that fact, I did find it refreshing as it doesn’t shy away from certain details. Ruby has an active imagination that helps her cope, or so one would think, but she also has a special ability. The chemistry and dynamics between the characters is gripping and surprising.

While I did find this story a little hard to get into (I thought of it as more of a supernatural thriller and it ended up being something else). There are two stories in this book; Ruby (present) and Anna’s (past) that are filled with a lot of twists and turns, along with heartbreak and redemption.

Rules of Magic is about, the Owens family, and It began with a curse in the 1620’s, any man that dare loves an Owens woman is fated to die. A hundred years later, three siblings (Franny, Jet, and Vincent) will discover their family legacy and begin to understand what it means to be an Owens.

This book is a prequel of sorts, it takes place before Practical Magic and gives us a look into the lives of our two favorite Aunts, Franny and Jet. While reading this one I kept try to remember if Vincent was ever mentioned, and this book explains why he wasn’t.

It has a similar set up as Practical Magic; siblings, love, strength of will, breaking the rules, heartbreak, and discovering what it means to truly be yourself. I liked this one, Alice Hoffman has a way of weaving a story together that makes your imagination light up and engages you in such a way that you can’t help but turn the page for more.

Holding by Graham Norton *AB*

Holding is about an investigator, PJ Collins, and his attempts at solving his first murder when a body is discovered in the remote village of Duneen, Ireland. PJ (who is not quite up to the challenge) has his hands full in this town filled with secrets, rumors, regrets, and decades old history.

I liked this debut novel by Graham Norton. It’s what I would call a black comedy cozy mystery. Murder in a small town with a lot of secrets, history, and humor. Everything changes when a second body is found, causing more secrets to come to light.

Filled with characters that are unique but identifiable (Brid and Evelyn) and heartbreaking (Mrs. Meany left me in tears at the end). This story provides a well written look into the lives of those who may feel under appreciated, lost, forgotten, and misunderstood. A great debut novel and one I would highly recommend.

I spent most of September doing what I have always wanted to do which was completing series. I would start a series and then get sidetracked and/or read a book in a series out of order wishing I had started from the beginning. I’m proud to say I got through two and a half of the four series I’ve wanted to finish for sometime.

This includes the Early years, the Teen years, and the Adversary Cycle along with the Adult Jack Novels (26 Books, plus a few short stories). yeah, this is a huge series.

I love this series!!! I love the twists and turns, the characters, the settings, the mythology behind the One and the Adversary, but more importantly Jack. He’s not your typical repairman. He’s the one fighting for those who are in a situation they can’t get out of and needs someone who can “fix” their problems.

I alternated this series with the Repairman Jack series, I wanted to keep my interest alive in both bodies of work (26 Books – Jack, and 15 Books – Charlie). Also, I had to wait for a number of them to become available form the library, so it made alternating easy.

There is something about these characters that while flawed, human, and seemingly otherworldly. I think what I really like about the Charlie Parker series is the fact that not everything is wrapped up in a pretty package. There are casualties and I think that shows the reader that not everything is as simple as it seems. Life is messy, it’s complex, and it’s dangerous.

So far there are five books in this series so far (seven total) with the sixth supposedly being released next year (2018). I say supposedly, what I mean to say is, I’ll believe it when I see it on the bookshelf for purchase and in my hot little hands.

I’ve made it through the first three books and had to stop for awhile, after binge watching the last season on HBO, I think I may have game of Throned myself out. I will pick up book four sometime soon, but not too soon. I think I’m in need of a mental break.

I will say the first three are spot on with the television show and it was fun to read them after having seen the series. It gave the story more life and I was finally able to pronounce characters names correctly. I could have done without all of the food descriptions though. I get it, they’re eating… a lot.

This is the fourth series I’ve wanted to complete, and am happy to say I am halfway there. I should finish up sometime in October or early November. With this series I ended up read backwards at first and jumped around some. This time I’ve starting properly from the beginning.

I spent a good portion of October finishing up the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, but I did manage to read two other books.

The Late Show by Michael Connelly *AB*

The Late Show is about, Detective Renée Ballard, who is reluctant to stop investigating when her shift is over and goes against orders to solve the crimes her and her partner have caught. Determined to follow the leads where they take her, Renee finds herself going up against challenging obstacles, most of which are caused by her fellow officers.

This is book one in a new series by Michael Connelly and is a solid thriller featuring a tough as nails heroine. I liked that she didn’t stop investigating despite the odds, her sense of closure was strong, even for something as simple as identity theft.

I’m interested in seeing where this series goes, but there is something about the main character that drives me crazy. I don’t know if it was the chip on her shoulder, in a way that chip is justifiable, or the backseat approach her partner took in the investigation. Again, his reasons were justifiable as well. Or maybe I was just expecting someone more like Harry Bosch.

Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton *AB*

Y is for Yesterday is about, Fritz McCabe, a former student of a private prep school being blackmailed with a video of a sexual assault that went missing 10 years ago, and all those involved scramble to cover their tracks and get their stories straight. It’s up to Kinsey to sort it out.

This was a pretty intense book, not an easy subject matter to read; however, I think Sue did an amazing job in not glossing over the details. This was a great whodunit, with lots of action, suspense, and intrigue.

It’s interesting how one small defiant act could end in murder, abuse, and betrayal. Also, there is a second story within this one and it involves someone from Kinsey’s past. This part was a little confusing to me only because I hadn’t read the previous books that involve this antagonist so I would recommend reading in order.

The Kill Society is about, Sandman Slim (aka James Stark), who finds himself on a mountain top in Tenebrae with no idea of how he got there or why. He comes across a mysterious figure known as the Magistrate and his band of Mad Max wannabes (along with some familiar faces) and reluctantly joins their crusade to find a very special bullet for a very special gun.

I loved this book, couldn’t put it down, and I actually yelled when I got to the end (damn cliffhangers), which is rare for me. Stark’s snarky attitude and no bullshit behavior is on point, especially when dealing with (arch)angels. The reveal of the Magistrate was a surprise and the behavior of some of the angels, you would think they’d have learned by now.

I am a little confused as to how Stark can still move in and out of the shadows, I thought the Room of Thirteen Doors was locked, I may have missed a book along the way. Just a heads up, be sure to read ‘Devil in the Dollhouse: A Sandman Slim Story’ before you read this one, you’ll thank me later.

The Devil’s Triangle is about, Special Agents Drummond and Caine, who are asked by a notorious thief, the Fox, to look into unnatural weather phenomena that have plagued the Gobi desert and help her rescue her husband, Grant, after a transaction regarding the Ark of the Covenant has gone wrong.

This story had a lot going for it, a weather device utilizing Tesla’s coil and DaVinci’s drawing, the Bermuda Triangle, and a whip smart team to help stop a group of people from destroying the world and finding the Ark of the Covenant. I liked the end sequence with the twin’s mother and found the idea of corporations profiting off of a natural disaster (that isn’t so natural) interesting.

That is until the action, plot, and character details fall apart. The special FBI team reads more as the parents taking the kids on a vacation to Venice, Italy and stumbling across a mystery, Ajax and Cassandra are two dimensional and come across as cartoonish in their behavior (think Scooby Doo, rather than James Bond), and the constant reminder of how tough/skilled someone is (even when they are the complete opposite) and the overuse of their names is distracting.

Monstrous is about, Sidney and friends, surviving the first wave of an alien invasion and realizing its not over, in fact, it’s spreading, this time to Boston. Sidney and company travel to Boston in an attempt to help and to find the source of power fueling the storm.

This was a well written sequel filled with strong characters (Sidney – determined, Clara – feisty and cantankerous, and Snowy – German Shepard, because everyone should have one like her), new horrors (“jellyfish”), and an ending that I wasn’t suspecting, a second wave of invasion if you will. Remind me to never answer my phone during an alien invasion, just saying.

I highly recommend this series, it is classified as teen fiction, but I think adults will like it as well. This is book two. The first book is called ‘Savage’ and I do recommend reading that one first, because ‘Monstrous’ picks up immediately after ‘Savage’.

Murder on Astor Place is about, Sarah Brandt, a midwife in New York City who reluctantly teams up with Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy to solve the murder of a young girl. Frank is on the fast track to becoming Captain and isn’t interested in wasting his time. Sarah isn’t interested in excuses. Both have their reasons and soon realize they have more in common than they originally thought.

I really liked this book, it was a fresh perspective on a cozy mystery. Set at the turn of the century when the roles of men and women were set, this book kicks that to the curb with a strong minded woman who is willing to get to the bottom of a crime and a man who is strong in his convictions.

I was surprised by the ending, I really didn’t see it coming and the reveal was well written. My heart broke for Frank and what he was going through at home, but frustrated and made me angry as well. I hope in the books after this one his relationship with his son is better, that little boy broke my heart.

The Calamity Café is about, Amy Flowers, a woman who dreams of owning her own café filled with good people, a down home atmosphere style comfort food, and ends up having to clear her name when her boss is found murdered.

I love cozy mysteries and this is no exception. I great beginning to a new series with eclectic characters, a warm small town mentality, southern cooking, and amazing recipes to try. My favorite character is Homer. I love how he has a “hero” for everyday.

I accidentally read this out of order, started with book 2 (Silence of the Jams). I don’t think you need to read them in order, but it’s a good idea. Gayle Leeson is also a pseudonym for Gayle Trent (Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery) and Amanda Lee (Embroidery Mysteries).

The Second Sister is about, Ella Brooks, and her need to solve the mystery regarding her sister’s disappearance. Ella can still feel her sister’s presence and she has never stopped wondering about what had happened. At the request of her nephew, Ella, dives deeper into solving this mystery and finds more than she bargained for after meeting the man accused of taking Miranda.

I had a hard time with this one. There is a lot of one-sided conversation between Ella and her “dead sister” that was tough to get through and seemed unnecessary. I found myself at times wanting to skip ahead to the actual story rather than slogging through her constant internal dialogue. Also, she’s supposed to be a self defense instructor, which I thought was refreshing. You wouldn’t know it by reading the story.

The interactions between characters: Ella/Ted, Ella/Jason, Ella/Adam were two dimensional and little to no chemistry. Ella’s interaction with Jason Thorne was incredibly naive and over the top, for someone trained in self defense she should have been better prepared. The one good thing about this story was the dynamic between parents and child and how they process grief. One holding on so tightly and the others wanting to move on.

A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan *AB*

A Secret History of Witches is about, four generations of women, spanning the decades (19th century Brittany to World War II) filled with heartbreak, perseverance of spirit, determination, love and powerful (dangerous) magic.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I really liked this story. I liked how it focused on four women over a large portion of time and how each one is as a different as the last. Each one finds her strengths, weaknesses, and while history repeats itself (in some cases), they do learn their lessons.

What I liked most was how different each of the women were, one being content with living in Brittany and not venturing forth out in the world, one learning from her mother’s trials and doing what must be done to protect her legacy, one who uses her magic for self gain and reaping what she has sown, and the last torn between love and doing her duty for god and country.

The Spy Across the Table is about, Jim Brodie, an expert in Japanese antiquities and a private investigator who’s friends have been murdered and is asked by the First Lady to investigate, off the books. This request creates problems with Homeland Security and the NSA. Soon Jim discovers there is more to the story than originally thought.

I really enjoyed this novel. Fast paced, lots of action and intrigue, as well as multiple twists and turns with an ending I didn’t see coming. The history lessons regarding the Kabuki performances and Japanese art was fascinating. I really liked the characters, Zhou for example. He is intriguingly sinister and so well written.

There are a few light moments in the story, balances out the intensity and intrigue. For example, a scene where Jim is trying to get The First Lady on the phone while engaging in a standoff with Homeland Security. Combined with Jim’s street smarts and attitude, he tries and matched wits with Zhou, which is no easy feat. Highly Recommend.

The Last Hack(Jack Parlabane, Bk.8) by Christopher Brookmyre *AB*

The Last Hack is about, Sam Morpeth, a young female hacker who is left to fend for herself and her sister after their mother has been sent to prison. Sam is being blackmailed by someone called Zodiac and with the help of Jack Parlabane, they bargained for and realize they have more in common than they originally thought.

I liked this story, it’s filled with a lot of techno speak and intrigue. Both Sam and Jack have a specialized set of skills that compliment each other and a healthy level of distrust towards one another. Then again, Sam, is blackmailing Jack into helping her. I liked how Sam and Jack’s connection was revealed and how everyone involved ties together.

While you don’t have to read the books that came before this, I would recommend it. There are a number of moments that refer to Jack’s past and why he has to rebuild his journalistic career, but doesn’t really include a lot of backstory. The story is slow in a little places, but it does have a good message about cyber bullying (Keisha).

The Fifth Petal is about Rose Whelan, a former local historian and alleged town witch, who has become suspect number one when the murder of a teenage boy happens on Halloween night. Connections to a 1989 cold case known as “The Goddess Murders” appear and police chief, John Rafferty, works to exonerate Rose before history repeats itself.

This book is filled with complex characters, intrigue, local Salem history, and did not disappoint. I really enjoyed reading about Salem’s history regarding the Witch Trials (some stuff I already knew and some I didn’t) and smiled when Elizabeth Howe was mentioned and reminded me of another author, Katherine Howe, her ancestor.

I was very happy to see that this one is a sequel to The Lace Reader; it takes place sometime after that book, but does include a few familiar faces (i.e. Towner, John, and May). It isn’t necessary, but I do recommend reading The Lace Reader first, it gives you a great introduction into the characters and their backstory.

A Truck Full of Money is the story of Paul English, an innovator, philanthropist, and creator and co-founder of the website Kayak.com. He has an unconventional management style and a knack for being in the right place at the right time when it comes to technology.

I hadn’t read Tracy Kidder’s work before and wasn’t sure what to expect. Biographies can be tricky, sometimes boring and overwhelming with names and dates. I was pleasantly surprised and found this story captivating, conversational, and easy to get into.

I really liked that I knew a lot of what was being discussed in the book regarding the creation of websites, apps, and tech based companies (Kayak, Blade, Lola) and how it goes into Paul’s bipolar diagnosis and hypomania, without over sensationalizing either disorder.

The Prisoner is about John Wells, an ex-CIA agent, who goes back undercover to find the identity of a mole. This is easier said than done, times have changed and the terrorist cells have become bigger, more powerful, and John must obtain the information he needs before a Sarin attack on Parisian soil is completed.

I liked the intrigue surrounding the story line, but I felt something was missing. I found John’s capture, imprisonment, and treatment in a Bulgarian prison a little far-fetched. I know he has gone undercover before, but this seemed almost too easy. I did find the final scenes in Paris really exciting, full of action and intrigue, and was well written.

I’ve never read Alex Berenson’s work before and that may have been my problem.With some series you can dive right in and follow along easily, with this series I recommend starting from the beginning rather than jumping in at the end.

No Easy Target is a about a woman, Margaret Douglas, who has been running from her past and a unique ability to understand and talk to animals. It isn’t until she is captured and taken back to where it all began that she finds the strength to move on.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to my expectations and I kept getting the feeling that I had read this story before, especially the ending sequence.

I liked John and Margaret as separate characters, both independent, strong-willed, and determined. I liked that John was willing to do what it took to help his friends and Margaret’s ability to communicate with animals refreshing. However, I found the double speak between Margaret and John tiresome and their chemistry non-existent.

Grace Notes is about the life, love, and emotional journey of musician, mother, and actress, Katey Sagal. Told in essay format, this memoir is inspirational, heartbreaking, and refreshing to read. Filled with life lessons, it aims for your heart and doesn’t hold back.

This was a treat for me to read. What I loved most were the stories about her music, being true to herself and the path it took to get there, rather than conforming to what others expected.

I really liked how open and honest she is in this book, doesn’t let the possibility of controversy stop her and sharing personal stories regarding the loss of a child and the impact her co-workers have had on her (i.e. John Ritter), was refreshing to read.

Right Behind You is about two siblings, Sharlah and Telly, who were separated after the brutal death of their parents. Sharlah is about to be adopted by FBI profiler Quincy and his partner Rainie. That is until a double murder happens and a manhunt gets underway.

In my experience, books that feature the same characters can sometimes grow stale and routine, but with this series that isn’t the case. It has the perfect blend of suspense, thriller, action, and intrigue with a lot of twists and turns, and well written characters.

I really liked the characters, Sharlah and Telly. I just wanted to hug them and was happy to see the way their story ended wasn’t what I had originally thought. I couldn’t put this one down and highly recommend.

Norse Mythology is a new refreshing look at some of the old familiar faces we have come to know and love (i.e. Odin, Loki, and Thor). From the beginning of the nine worlds to Ragnarok, this book breathes new life into stories of old, making this a refreshing read.

What I really liked is how this book isn’t your typical mythology book. Most of the ones I’ve read are pretty straight forward… this is the god/goddess, this is what they do, and here’s a story you’ve heard a thousand times before with maybe an illustration or two.

This book is smaller than I expected, but well worth reading. I can imagine telling these stories around a campfire. Stories about how Mjölnir was created and later stolen, how Fenrir was chained, and how Loki is the blood brother of Odin, not Thor.

The Wanderers is about three astronauts, Helen Kane, Yoshihiro Tanaka, and Sergei Kuznetsov, who are selected to complete an 18-month simulation to potentially travel and explore Mars and the effect this has on them and their families.

I enjoyed this book and found myself unable to put it down. I found the characters interesting and often wondered if maybe, in some way, they were robotic or had been mentally altered in some way, especially the astronauts. They way they would interact with one another and how they would have these “epiphanies” about themselves.

I also got the sense that they were actually traveling to Mars during the 18-month “simulation” and spent the majority of the time looking for clues to confirm. And I liked the side stories of how the families were processing their absence and having “epiphanies” of their own.

The Princeling of Nanjing is about, Ava Lee, a forensic accountant with a special set of skills who agrees to help her friend, Xu, prevent the son of an influential family from taking over his Triad organization. As Ava investigates, she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for and sets out to expose everyone involved.

Ava’s determination and ability to not let anyone intimidate her was refreshing, but at times a little far-fetched regarding her investigation techniques. She would call someone up, tell them to get her this information immediately, money is no object, and they would do so without complaint or resistance. Although, I did notice not everyone was swayed by her demands… journalistic integrity for example.

Full of intrigue, action, a great collection of characters, and a well written plot, I couldn’t put it down. I haven’t read Ian Hamilton’s work before, but aim to start from the beginning right away. A great series, I look forward to reading more by this author.

The F Word is about, Olivia Morten, publicist extraordinaire to the stars and her ability to reinvent herself as someone else, someone not associated with the person she was in high school. That is until she runs into her “arch nemesis” and former crush, Ben Dunn.

I had a hard time getting through this one, mainly because I couldn’t tell if this book is meant for adults or teens. While Olivia is definitely an adult, her constant inner dialogue about the past was a little overwhelming, tiresome, and kind of distracting.

I did enjoy how the story unfolded, a bit passive-aggressive in the beginning and then as her world starts to unravel is forced to face her past as well as her present, she comes to the realization that she deserves better and begins the process of moving on.

Confessions of a Domestic Failure: A Humorous Book about a Not So Perfect Mom by Bunmi Laditan *GR*

Confessions of a Domestic Failure: A Humorous Book about a Not So Perfect Mom is about, Ashley Keller, who while trying to navigate the social pressures of being a new stay-at-home mom gets an opportunity to meet her mommy-blog hero, Emily, and participate in the Motherhood Better boot camp competition, and finds herself in the process.

While I did enjoy this book, it’s funny, light, and requires no thought process (think brain candy); I did find myself getting a little frustrated with Ashley. Her unwillingness to do, well, anything other than complain about how tired she is, spend money she doesn’t have, and lack of communication with her husband, made me want to shake her.

I did enjoy her mommy escapades into the mommy obsessed with perfection world of Facebook, Pinterest boards, forays into the job market (900 number anyone), and “play date” invitations. Also, the crafting ideas for the boot camp were interesting and are something worth trying out myself.

The Wingsnatchers is about, Felix Carmer, a magician’s apprentice who has an inventor’s mind and a curious nature. As luck would have it, he is rescued by a fire fairy, Grit, and they strike a deal to solve the sudden disappearances of faeries and help win the biggest magic show in town.

This was a fun book and reminded me a lot of Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series with a little steampunk style story line thrown in. This is a great book for both boys and girls, grades 5-9. This book is full of magic, adventure, and is sure to ignite their imagination.

I loved Carmer’s curiosity and determination to get to the root of the problem, no matter how many times he was knocked down. Grit is a firecracker of a character, hampered by a disability, she didn’t let it stop her in trying to save her fellow faeries.

Silence of the Jams (Down South Cafe Mystery, Bk.2) by Gayle Leeson *GR*

Silence of the Jams is about, Amy Flowers, the owner of the Down South Café and (reluctant) amateur sleuth. When a member of the Chamber of Commerce dies in her café, she and those around her become potential suspects and it’s up to Amy, with a little help from the police, to find the truth before it’s too late.

This was a delight full story that is well written, engaging, and has characters you want to keep coming back to. I’m not sure what I enjoyed more, the recipes Amy would try and integrate into her menu or the amateur detective, Homer (Hero for a Day).

Also, I liked that it doesn’t shy away from the family drama. For example, when Jackie’s mother, Renee, comes back into the picture and starts up with her old ways (i.e. addiction), everyone is effected. A solid interpretation of what can happen.

I Am Death is about, Detectives Hunter and Garcia of the UV Crimes Unit, who are called in when the body of a young woman is found in a ritualistic manner. The detectives engage in a cat & mouse game with the killer whose past is just as shocking as his crimes.

This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s brutal, gritty, horrifying, and heartbreaking. The characters are so well written (Squirm) and the brutal murders so horrifying (you won’t look at circular saw the same way again) that you can’t help but get chills.

What I found refreshing was how the killer was more interested in getting the detective’s attention, but not the media. While the clues are in the notes left behind, you won’t see the ending coming. I didn’t and it was heartbreaking.

The Cracked Spine is about, Delaney Nichols, who has upped and moved from Kansas to Scotland in an attempt to find adventure and work in a book shop. Delaney does a little investigating to find a missing first folio, solve a murder (which is easier said than done), and get to know the kilt clad handsome bartender down the way.

I had a lot trouble with this one, it didn’t seem up to Paige’s usual standard of work which was disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the setting, the characters, and the overall idea of this book, but it wasn’t up to cozy standards.

The story seemed unfocused with too many characters, along with the random unnecessary moments that don’t really have anything to do with the story (i.e. Rosie and her love interest), and the amped-up secrecy about EVERYTHING. I found Delaney’s ability to hear “book voices” interesting and would like to have read more, but the reason as to why she could do so never made sense, leaving me confused.

Enemy of the Good by Matthew Palmer *AB*

Enemy of the Good is about, Kate Hollister, a foreign service officer who has been reassigned to her old stomping ground. While there she is instructed, by her uncle, to discover the identity of the leader of an underground movement, in an attempt to protect the negotiations of a lease for an air base, or so one would think.

This one was okay, it had a great build up with a lot of action, intrigue, and suspense. The dynamic between the CIA and Kate’s Uncle was interesting to read and then about halfway through, the story focused more on the “love interest” aspect rather than the continuation of action, suspense, intrigue, and story.

The final coup involving the underground group, Boldu, was lackluster at best, while peaceful it didn’t have a lot going on and fizzled out story wise. Kate’s kidnapping and constant reference to her diplomatic immunity tiresome and unbelievable. If the villain is as bad as they say, he won’t care about diplomatic immunity. Just saying.

The Forgotten Girls is about, partners Windermere and Stevens, who’ve stumbled across a case involving a photo of a dead girl on a cell phone and a serial killer who selects women society has deemed forgettable (i.e. runaways, prostitutes, Native Americans) and uses the High-Line (Northern US/Canada railway system) as his killing ground.

I liked the pacing of the story, how it incorporated current technology (i.e. the Cloud) into helping the investigation, and the resourcefulness of the characters; especially Mila and her determination (albeit reckless) to find the killer and get justice for her friend, Ash.

However, there were some things that drove me crazy… Windermere’s constant need to say ‘partner’ every time she addresses Stevens and the end scene with the serial killer. His reasons for killing just boggled my mind and not in a good way. Most bad guys are complex, compelled, and psychopathic, but not this guy. This guy was just whiny.

Last year I had the fantastic opportunity of completing an internship in a special collections archive for my Library and Information Science Practicum. I learned a lot and thought it would be fun to share my experience with others.

I was able to complete onsite visits and interviews of various archives in the city, as well as, processing a collection and creating the collections finding aids for both written and metadata records.

Below you’ll find some of the objectives, activities, readings, and web tutorials that I utilized throughout the process, as well as, a list of onsite interview questions that helped me understand the similarities and differences between each special collection archive.

Game Plan:

Objectives

Gain exposure to archive and special collection activities and issues within a variety of institutional contexts.

Obtain a broad overview of activities, institution types, and positions in archives and special collections.

Activities

Observe reference service interactions in archives and special collections department; participate as required.

Observe and participate, as necessary, in collection development, acquisition, and donor relations activities.

Arrange and describe a small archival or special collections collection according to institutional guidelines and standards.

What is the scope of your collection? What do you collect and not collect?

What is your parent organization?

Who are your primary users? What types of research and reference questions do you receive?

What system do you use to manage your collections? Do you use Archivists’ Toolkit, Archives Space, and a homegrown system? Do you work with a library system? What are the benefits and challenges of your system?

Do you work with born-digital or digitized materials? What type of digital program do you have?

What is your educational background? What is your professional history?

Why did you decide to enter this profession?

What types of preservation and conservation activities do you do?

What descriptive standards do you use? Do you use DACS? Do you create EAD finding aids?

What suggestions do you have for someone considering archives and special collections as a career?